Topic: 12 Years A Slave

Historical data from 1808 to 1860 shows the enslaved population in Alabama grew tenfold, from 40,000 to over 435,000, despite the federal ban on importing slaves. The hosts discuss how this growth was fueled by the domestic slave trade, selective breeding, and the kidnapping of free Black people, as depicted in the film 12 Years a Slave. They posit that the ADOS lineage includes anyone legally enslaved by a U.S. state, regardless of whether their ancestors originated in Africa or were already present on the landmass.

Lena Waithe admits that Hollywood studios are primarily interested in the "jackpot" of commodifying black content for commerce. The hosts argue that films like Queen and Slim and 12 Years a Slave exploit both a victimization mentality in black audiences and "white guilt" in white audiences. They define this genre as the "racial thriller," which serves as a lucrative niche for studios.

Charlemagne Tha God expresses his exhaustion with traditional slave movies, stating he prefers Django Unchained because the protagonist is not a victim. He argues that the culture has enough documentaries and films like Roots and Amistad. The hosts analyze Charlemagne's role as a media gatekeeper who says just enough to maintain credibility with his audience.